Selectors for automatic phonographs



Feb. 2, 1960 c. w. SCHULTZ ET AL 2,923,553

SELECTORS FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1954 Feb. 2, 1960 c. w. SCHULTZ ET AL 2,

SELECTORS FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Aug. 50, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 CZm evzce %J2%ZZ2J Jew e fioegew Feb. 2. 1960 c. w. SCHULTZ ETAL 2,923,553

SELECTORS FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Aug. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 2, 1960 c. w. SCHULTZ E L SELECTORS FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Aug. 50. 1954' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q N yj frkiz d'flarveeg United States Patent 2,923,553 SELECTORSFOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Clarence W. Schultz, Arlington Heights, and George F.

Boesen, Park Ridge, lll., assignors, by mesne assignments, to The Seeburg Corporation, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 30, 1954, Serial No. 452,876 20 Claims. (Cl. 274-) This invention relates to selectors for automatic phonographs which are arranged to receive and store a plurality of signals each corresponding to an individual in such manner that the corresponding record is sup-- plied to the playing mechanism for the reproduction of the selected recording. The movable selector element is arranged to move through selecting positions corresponding to all the records in the magazine, and in a phonograph arranged to play both sides of each record, means are provided for determining which side of the record is to be played.

In one well known type of machine, the records are stored in a stationary magazine and the player unit is moved along the magazine. When a selection is made displacing a selecting member, the playing unit starts to move past the magazine in one direction and then in the other direction. When an element on the playing unit engages the displaced selecting member, the playing unit is arrested and-put into its operating cycle to remove the corresponding record from the magazine to the playing unit for playing and return to the magazine. In one type of machine, the left sides of records are played when the playing unit is conditioned for travel in one direction and the other sides of the records are played when the playing unit is conditioned for travel in the opposite direction.

In accordance with the present invention, we provide magnetizable memory elements, one for each available recording. When a selection is made, the corresponding magnetizable memory element is magnetized in a definite sense or polarity. A complete program may be set up by thus magnetizing any desired number of magnetizable elements. When selectionsare made so as to magnetize the memory elements corresponding to the recordings desired to be played the motor switch is closed so that the mechanism goes into operation and the movable selector member, for example, the playing unit, starts to move through a plurality of selecting positions.

In each selecting position, it cooperates with the magnetizable memory element which is associated with the recording corresponding to said position. Those memory elements which correspond to recordings which have been selected for playing will be magnetized in the definite sense referred to above and when the movable selector member is in a position so as to cooperate 2,923,553 Patented Feb. 2, 1960 this field tends to reverse the magnetization of the magnetizable element whereas if the corresponding magnetizable element has not been so selected and is thus already in a reversed state of magnetization then no appreciable effect is produced by the application of this field. Thus normally all the magnetizable elements aredeft in this reversed state of magnetization. When an unselected'magnetizable element is thus subjected tothis field, no change of flux occurs in the magnetizablemerm ber. 'When,however, a field is applied to a selecting magnetizable member, that is, one which is magnetized in the aforesaid definite sense, there is a reversal of magnetization and a resulting change in the flux of that element.

In the modification of the invention described, a circuit is coupled to "a plurality of magnetizable memory 'elements so that a voltage occurs therein when the magnetization is reversed and-this voltage, preferably amplified and-extended time wise, is employed to trigger a suitable relay which results in the arresting of the movable selector member and the playing of the corresponding recording. This corresponding recording is that one determined by the position of the movable selecting member, and in the case of the preferred embodiment,

by the direction in which that selector member is mov- Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of four corners of a memory element mounting board or matrix;

Fig. 3 is anenlargedfragmentary view of one ofthe toroids and related conductors of the matrix;

Fig. 4 is a substantially rectangular Bl-l curve of a ferrite material preeminently suitable for the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a phonograph of well known type which is described and claimed in the co-pending application Serial No. 132,147, filed December 9, 1949 by Herman G. Jensen now U.S. Patent 2,716,550. This phonograph comprises a base 10 which supports spacers 11 which provide spaces for a series of vertical records 12. The playing'unit 13 is movable on the base 10 to and fro along the magazine by means of a reversible motor (not shown) on the unit. The reversal of the motor is effected by means of a reversing switch 14 which engages an abutment 15 at each end of its travel. The playing unit includes a trip relay 16 which is arranged to be energized by a selecting impulse and thus effect the playing of a selected recording. When the relay 16 is energized the playing unit will be arrested in a selected position, a transfer arm 17 will be actuated so as to lift the selected record into playing position; a clamping member 18 will be actuated so as to secure the record in said position on the playing unit; and the player arm19will be applied to the record in the initial playlng position. After the selected recording has been reproduced, the playing mechanism is tripped to effect jo co'rrespondlto the reversal of the drive of the motor,

that the left hand side of a record is played when the player unit is arrested when moving in one direction. and .the. 'ghthand side ofa record is played when the player unit isarrested when moving in the opposite direction. The mechanism .above referred to is fully described in .the above-identified application.

, In accordance with the present invention we provide .arnagnetizable element, specifically a toroid 20, for each recording in;the machine. In other words there is an individual; toroid corresponding to each side of each recordlin the magazine. To select any particular record- :ing the corresponding to'roid is magnetized in a definite sense.

Ih e machine described herein'is arranged to play fifty records-and for convenience the recordings and the toroids .ar'e idcntifiedas A1, A2, A10, B1, B2, B10, C 1, C2, C10, K1, K2, K10 (I is not used to avoid confusion with 1). Selections are made by actuating one of two series of 10 switcheseach. One series 26.of switches is lettered A, B, C, H, J, K ;(see Fig. 5). The other series of switches 25 is numbored .1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. As will hereinafter more fully appear, actuation of switches A and 1, for example, efiectslthe magnetization of the toroid A1 in the definite sense, thus storing a signal which will result in the playing of the recordingAl, and-so forth. Such actuation would .normally be effected by buttons (not shown) conveniently' arranged on the exterior of the machine.

-Thetorpidsll) are mounted in a matrix 27 (shown best in Fig. 2) which may suitably be mounted on. the base asshown in Figure 1. A conductor 22, A (Fig.

2), extends horizontally through the toroids (A1, A2, A10). A conductor 22, B. extendshorizo ntally through the toroids 20, B1, B2, B3 B10, and so forth. :A conductor 23 (No. 1) extends vertically through the to'roids-20(A1, B1, C1, K1). A conductor 23 :(No. 2) extends vertically through the toroids 20. A2, 1B2,1C2,. K2, and so forth. Thus'eachctoroid 20, A1, for example, has a vertical conductor 23. (No. 1) and a horizontal conductor 22, A, extending through it. (When referring to Fig. 5, the wiring diagram; it should be noted that the horizontal conductors 22 are here shown -lin' vertical positions and separate from vertical conductors 23 so was tosimplify this figure. and for their'true position relative to toroids 20 and conductors 23 it is necessary to refer to. Fig. 2.) As will hereinafter appear,

when selection, A1 is made, current passes by these two conductors (22A and 23 No. 1) through the toroid A1 -'simultaneously"and in the same electrical direction so that their magnetizingeffect is additive and sufficient to,

magnetize the toroid-A1 in the definite sense mentioned above. At the same time, a lesser current flows through all 'thetoroids A2, A3, A4 A10 and through all 'the toroids B1, C1,"D1, E1, K1 without appreciable m'agnetizing etfect'due to themagnitude of the current and the magnetic characteristics of the material of the toroids,"as will be more fully explained.

A strip of insulation 24-is mounted on the base 10 along: the magazine (Fig. 1). This strip is provided with and the two contacts A1 and A2, for example, which correspond to the two sides of an individual record, are in transverse alignmentas shown in Fig. 5. A pair of brushes 30 Figs l and 5)a're arranged to move over the two series of contacts. The' brushes are mounted on a piece of insulation carried by a bracket 31 which is supported on, an element of the player unit 13, suitably the housing 32 of the transfer arm 17. The brushes are so located that when the player unit moves past any record position for example, A1, A2, the brushes engage the contacts A1 and A2. The brushes 30 are connected together and to .a'line' 33. Each contact is connected to an individual conductor 34 which connects that contact to its corresponding toroid 20. (Figs. 2, 3 and 5). Thus the contact Al -is connected to a line 34 which passes through thetoroid A1 (Fig. 5) The lines 34 pass through theltoroids in opposite electrical direction to the lines 122 and 23 so that voltage applied to the brushes through the contacts 28, 29, causes current to flow though the lines 34 to createa fieldwhich magnetizes the selected toroids in a reversed,1 scnse as compared to the definite sense previously referred to. ,Thelines 34 of the oddnumbered;contacts,,that isAl, A3, ;A5, etc. are connected to theoddnumber grid 35 (Figs. 2.and.5) and the lines 34 v of the evenmumhered .contacts ,are connected to the even number grid -36. One or the other grid 35 or 36 :is

.gro'undedbythe contacts 37 onthe reversing switch 14. Thus when the. playing unitistmoving in the direction for .playing joddnurnbered recordings, the odd number grid 35 is grounded and the even number grid 36 is ungrounded so that current is supplied successively to the lines 34 of toroids A1, A3, A5, etc; as the. brush 30 engages the contactsassociated with saidtoroids. .When the player unit .is moving in the oppdsitedirection and isconditioned foroplaying theeven .numberedrecordings, current is supplied successively to the toroids K10, K8, K6, K4, K2 A10, A8,'\A6,,A4, A2.

A.common line 38.(Figs. 2, 3 and 5) extends through all the toroids. In the embodiment illustrated, this line extends through all the toroids in the same electrical direct'ion. t i

lt will readily be understood that the toroids 20 are normally magnetized in a sense opposite to the definite sense referred to above. A selection is made by magnetizing a toroid into said definite sense. When current is passed through a non-selecting toroid by its line 34, there is no change of magnetization. When current is passed "through a selecting toroid ,by its lin c 34, the magnetizatio'n otthat toroid is reversed into the normal state and.

the resulting change offiux generates avoltage in the common line 38. This voltage is utilized to control the jeriergizationiofthe trip relay16 soastd arrest the travel ofthe playing unit and cause. thepIaying of the corresponding recording.

' The conductors 22.ar stru ngbetween studs on a base 39 (Fig. 2) of insulating.materiahlikewise the conductors 23. Each -.toroid .is individually. mounted .on .two condoctors oneconductor 22:,and onefconductor 23, where they physically intersect. Each; conductor 22 is con- .nected at one-end to anaindividualilead 40 anddilgewise each conductor123 ,isfconnected to anindividual lead 41. ,Theother ends .of the' conductors22 are connected to a common lead 42 ;and the othenends of .theconductors 23 are connected to,a common lead 43. The individual The odd and even numbered grids ably comprise vertical wires extending between studs 45 on the base 39 as shown in Fig. 2. These studs are relatively large so that, the grids are located clear of the other conductors on the base 39. It is to be noted that all the conductors passing through the toroids are insulated from each other. The vertical wires forming the odd numbered grid 35 are connected together at their upper ends and are connected to one side of the switch 37 by a conductor 46 (Figs. 2 and 5). The vertical wires'included in the even numbered grid 36 are connected together at their lower ends'andbya conductor 47 to the other side of the switch. 37. This switch has a grounded common pole so that one or the other of the grids 35 or 36 is grounded, depending upon the direction of travel of the playing unit and the sides of the records which it is conditioned to play. Since the switch 37 is on the reversing switch 14, the switch 37 is actuated from one position to another atthe end of the travel of the playing unit. v

1 We prefer to employ condensers to supply the selecting current to the common conductors 23 and 22 and to sup ply the current to the individual conductors 34 which effect magnetization of the toroids in opposite senses. These condensers are numbered 48 and 49 respectively (Fig. 5). The source of voltage 50 is designed to provide 50 volts. The conductor 33 connects the brush 30 to one side ofv the condenser 49 and, through a resistor 51, to the movable arm of a high resistancevoltage'divider 52. One side of the voltage divider 52 is connected to the voltage supply line 50. The other side is grounded as is' the other side of the condenser 49. It will readily be understood that when the brush 30 is out of engagement with the contacts 28 and 29, the condenser 49 is charged to avoltage which is determined by'the adjustment of the voltage divider 52. When the brush 30 en gages a pair of contacts from the series of contacts 28 and 29, the condenser 49 is discharged through one of these contacts and through one of the individual conductors 34 to the toroid associated with that contact and thence to the grid 35 or 36 depending upon which grid is grounded- The setting of the voltage divider is arranged so as to insure complete reverse magnetization of any selected toroid 20. Preferably the brush 30 moves out of engagement with the contacts 28 and 29 when the playing unit is arrested. However, the resistance of resistor 51 is made sufiiciently high so that the only. time that an appreciable current can flow is when the con denser 49 is being discharged.

The source of voltage 50 is also connected to one side of a high resistance voltage divider 53, the other side of which is grounded. The movable arm of the voltage di vider 53 is connected through a resistor 54 to the conductor 43, which is connected to one side of the condenser 48, the other side of which is grounded.

As has been mentioned before, the conductor 43 is connected to' the conductors 23 (No. 1 to No. 10) which extend vertically through the toroids 20 and which are individually connected to one side of the switches 25 by the leads 41. .The other sides of these switches are connected to a conductor 55. The conductor 42 is connected to the conductors 22 (A, B, C, J, K) which extend horizontally through the toroids 20 and which are individually connected to the switches 26 by the leads 40, the other sides of said switches being connected to a conductor 56, f

In the case of a phonograph intended for home use, the conductor 55 may be connected directly to the conductor 56. However, for a commercial phonograph, it is convenient to provide a-switch 57 between them. This switch is arranged to be closed by a .play control unit 58 shown diagrammatically. unit maybe energized by suitable coins to close the switch 57 in known manner. If this switch,57 is closed, it will readily be understood that if one switch 25 and one Switch 26 are closed, for example A and 3, then the It will be understood thatthis' condenser 48 will discharge through vertical conductor 23 (No. 3) horizontal and conductor 22 (A). In such a case the toroid 20 (A3) is the only one through which two currents pass. The current provided by the condenser 48 is regulated so that the toroid 20 (A3) is magnetized in the definite sense, whereas the other toroids through which the number 3 conductor 23 or the A conductor 22 pass, are unaffected.

One end of the common conductor '38 is grounded. The other end is connected to an amplifier 59 which substantially amplifies the small signal generated on the line 38 by a change in flux in'a selected toroid. This signal is ordinarily of very short duration. It may suitably be extended time wise by a conventional multivibrator section 60 to energize a gas tube 60' in the multi-vibrator section for sufiicient time to insure the actuation of the relay 16.

Means are provided to initiate operation of the phonograph motor 61 (shown in Fig. 5). This motor is connected to a power line' 62 and also to a switch 63, the other side of which isgrounded. The switches 25 have associated therewith a series of switches 125, likewise the switches 26 have associated therewith a series of switches 126.- The power line 62'is connected to one side of each of the switches 125. The other side of the switches 125 is connected to a line 155. The conductor 155 is connected'by a switch 157 to a conductor 156 which is connected to one side of the switches 126. It will be understood that the switch 157 is mechanically associated with the switch 57. It is arranged to be closed when the unit 58 retains credit. The switch 157 like the switch 57 may be omitted in the case of a home unit. The other side of the switches 126 is connected to'the unit 58 for the purpose of canceling credit therefrom, and is also connected to a relay 64. The other side of the relay 64 is grounded. A switch 65 mounted on the base 10 (Figure 1) at one end of the machine is arranged to be closed by an abutment 66 carried by the bracket 31 each time that the player unit'reaches that end of its travel. One side of the switch 65 is connected to the power line 62 (Fig. 5). The other sideof the switch 65 is connected to a relay 67, the oth'ers'ide of which is grounded. The relays 64 and 67 are arranged in juxtaposition and are arranged to cooperate with teeth on a. rotatable disc 68. The armature of the relay 64 has, pivotally mounted thereon in known manner, a detent 69 which projects through a window 70 which limits its movement such that it can rotate the disc 68 a peripheral distance of two teeth in the counter-clockwise direction. The detent 69 is biased to the right as viewed in Fig. 5. When the relay 64 is energized, the detent 69 moves downwardly into cooperative relation with two teeth 71 on the disc 68.

A spring pressed detent 72 cooperates with a set of teeth 73 also on the periphery of the disc 68. The relay 67 is provided with a similar window 74 and a similar detent 75, the arrangement in this case being that the limited movement of the detent 75 is such that it can rotate the disc 68 one tooth space in the clockwise direction. A pin 76 on the disc 68 is arranged to cooperate with the motor switch 63.

The operation is that when a selection is made by actuatingselectingbuttons (not. shown) placed conveniently on the exterior of the machine,- the switches and 12 6 are .closed; the.relay.64'is energized; and the detent 69 moves-the-disc 68 the distance of two teeth in the counterclockwise direction. When the discv 68 is thus rotated the pin 76 closes the switch 63 so that the motor 61 is put into operation and the player unit moves to and fro until it is arrested by the action of. a selected toroid 20.

Whether only one selection is made or whether any plurality of selections are made, the operation of the motor and the travel of the playing unit will continue until the relay 67 is energized twice. The first energizertion' rotates the disc 68 one tooth space in the clockwise on this figure.

. 7 M direction without, however, opening the switch 63. It requires a second energization of the relay 67 to effect the opening of the switch 63 and terminate the, operation of the motor 61. Thus the carriage will make a complete movement in one direction and a complete movement in the opposite direction after the last selection has been made. This insures the' playing of all the seilected recordings before the machine ceases to' operate as a result of. the opening of the switch 63.

, The magnetic material employed in the toroids may suitably be any of the modern magnetic materials gen erally referred to as ferrites which have a B-H curve approaching a' rectangle. We have used ferrites composed of iron oxide-manganese oxide and rnagnesium oxide which have a B-H' curveof the characteristics shown in Fig; 4. The normal state of magnetization of the toroi d is indicated at 77 on, this figure. It will readily be seen that if a field of the magnitude 78 is created momentarily, the magnetization, of the toroid is unaffected. On the otherhand, if a field of the magnitude 79 is created, the toroid will be magnetized in th e opposite sense corresponding to the point 80. It will thus be seenthat suitable adjustment of the voltage divider 53 may provide a currentthroughaconductqr 22 and a c0nduc tor 23 without affecting the magnetization of the b dids .through'which these lines pass with the single exception of .the single toroid through which both energizedlines pass. That single toroid is changed magnetically from the condition represented by the point 77 to the condition represented by thepoint 80, the latter point denoting magnetization in the selecting or the definite sense referred to repeatedly above.

The current supplied by the condenser 49 is suflicient to create a field correspondingat least to the point 81. This field-changes the magnetization of a selecting toroid from the condition represented by the point 80 on Fig. 4

back to the normal condition representedby the point 77 The magnitude of the current which hasyto be sup plied to the lines 22; 23 and 34 varies with the size and the material of the toroids. We have successfully used toroids type S-l, size F291, manufactured by General Ceramics. The ferrite used is one of iron oxidemagnesium oxide and manganese oxide composition.

The toroids have an outside diameter of .09", inside diameter of .06" and a thickness of .03. we have found that with these toroids, a current of approximately one-half ampere in the wires 22 and 23 effects magnetization in a definite'sense of any toroid through which two energized wi'res'pass without affecting the other toroids through'which only one energized wire passes.

The general operation of the machine will be very briefly described. Assuming that in the case 0521 coin for example, a fraction jof a mic -A's' deptsyi g' tr-samba; 1 "ite' jetmgt ttuis denser, .49 is repe'a'tcdly discharged through gone-g spending toroids 20, thatj isQdhd oddn' 'rt 'd or the e ii number toroids accordanc with th seasi e s'witchf37. Such.acurrdutfforflconde er 49 passing through jan'orrnally magnetized 1 P191995. h w t ra he no effectpn the magnetization Q; thelt no voltage in the conductor 38. When,

current from condenserfi?is passedmrough a selecting toroid 20, thistoro id becom re'verscly magnetized and: the change of 'flux generates a voltage in, the line 38.! With the elements; referred to abovfvoltage'j genm a m su t l b a u ficd; y the m i rs! o; about six volts. The impulse has ry s nall period may be increased,for elt 1 asecond by means of a multi-vibrator I a yet-I age of about seventy-five volts. impulse, having 2050th"yrat ron, the plate ,c'urrentof which is connected to the trip relay 16.

into a slelectedjposition, theit I rel y' 16'tis' piriergiz'dd. witli' theresult that-thc corres' ndjngr "ordingispla'y'ed and then returned tolthe mag alzinc after "hichthc'playcr unit resumes itstravelseeking another Selecting1signal. Thepis ia unit closes e swi c 55 t on the relay 67 opens. the switch 63jterminating' opera tioh) Al h u h t i enti n has b tsl $f ib i co nect tionwith the specific details of'a preterted e nbodiment: thereof, it must be" understood that such details arc not intended to belimitative of the invention except in so t set forth inthea'ccompanying claims. We claim:

p 1". A selectorfor record reproducin g machin'es having magnetizable in a ip'lur'ality of different senses, selecting means arranged tomagn etizeany of said elements in a t definite; sense, means associated with thesclcctor member andsuccessive magnetizable elements for 'subiecting said elements seriatirn to a field which reverses thesense of machine, credit is established on unit- 58 closing the 20, A2 is magnetizedinto the definite sense referred to above. As many selections ashave been paid for can be made in this manner. Each time a selectionis thus made, a switch 125 and a switch 126 is closed, canceling one credit of the unit 58 and" energizing the relay 64: This relay etfects acounte r-clockwise rotation of disc 68 and pin 76 so as to close the switch 63 and" start the motor fil so that theplaying-unit starts tomove to and fro, seeking a's elcc ted position;

i It is to be noted that when the last selection is thus made, the disc 68 is located so that itrequires two actuations of' the switch 65 and relay 67 to reopen'the switch 63 and terminate the operation of the motor. In other twice usone end of its"travel thus"' insuring dist-an was v selections made willbe played before the motor stops.

member moves through" the" ,coriicsponding selecting po; am an a c r u j l s ma fin it m s able elements and associated ,with-said a rrcsting means for actuating said arresting means ,whcn the flux a selected magnetizable element is reversed said'mag selecting position to effect thereproduction' of a conesense, means associated withthe selector member and sub spending record, a plurality of magneti zable' elements, each corresponding individually to a rccord and a select:

arranged to magnetize any desired eleirientsin ajdefiuite cessive magnetizable elements fo l-"subjecting said elements seriatimj to afield whichlreversesthesense of the magnetizatiomof a selected element as the njeinber moves through the correspo ndiu scl cting position, a circuit eeupia as splurality ofsaid eases-ts arrangdfia quire a voltage when such sense is reversed, and means "w at wa that it has'reac'hed one flnd of itsfltr'avel, mot/Edit the 1 other end and then back again to, the, first end thus insuring hat ll the selection madeQbe thcyfev'en or odd number, are reproduced beforethc" second impulse 1 ing position ofsaid member,- saidiclcmentsbeing"mag; netizable'in'a plurality of different sense's, selecting means operatively associating said circuit with said arresting means to'operate the latter. I

3. A selector for automatic phonographs'having a selector member movable through a plurality of. selecting positions and means to' arrest said memberin a' selecting position to effect the playing of a'corresponding record, a plurality of magnetizable toroids made of material having a substantially rectangular hysteresis curve characteristics, each corresponding individually to a record and a selecting positionof said member, said toroids being magnetizable in a plurality of different senses,selecting means arranged to magnetize any desired toroids in a definite sense, a circuit coupledwith each toroid, means for passing cur're'nt through each circuit as the selector member moves through theselecting position corresponding thereto, said current being arranged to change the flux and thus the sense of magnetization of a selecting toroid, and a second circuit coupled to a plurality of toroids so as to acquire a voltage when such change of flux occurs, said second circuit being operatively associated with said arresting means. o v o 4. A selector. for automatic phonographs having a selector member movable through a plurality. of selecting positions, and actuable means associated with said movable member in any selecting position thereof to etfect the playing of a corresponding record, a plurality of magnetizable elements, each corresponding individually to, a record and a selecting position of said selector memher, said elements being mag'netizable in a plurality of difierent, senses, selecting means arranged to magnetize' any of said elements-in a definite sense so as to-store corresponding magneticsignals, means associated with the selector member and successive magnetizable elements for subjecting said elements seriatim to a field which reverses the sense of magnetization and flux as the member moves through the corresponding selecting position, and a circuit coupled to a plurality of magnetizable elements and associated with said actuable means for actuating said actuable means when the flux in a selectedmagnetizable element is reversed by said magnetization reversing means. i 5. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a magazine for records, playingmeans for records, means for transferring individual records fromvsaid-mag'azine. to said playing means for playing,-aselecting member 'movable through a plurality of selecting positions each corresponding to a recording, mea'nsfor initiating the operation of the transfer means, a plurality of magnetizable elements each corresponding to an individual recording-and position, said elements'beingmagnetizable in a plurality of different senses, means for magnetizing any of said elements in a certain sense, means cooperating with said member and successive elements seriatim during the movement of said member arranged to create a voltage' with a selected element magnetized in said definite sense, and means responsive to said voltage for effecting the operation of the initiating means to effect the repro duction of the corresponding recording. I l

6'. In an automatic phonograph, in' combinatiomla matrix comprising a first set of conductors, a second set of conductors incrossing relation thereto, a plurality of toroids made ofa material having a substantially rectangular hysteresis characteristic, each moun'ted individually on two crossing conductors, saidtoroids being magnetizable in a plurality of different senses, two sets of switches, each set associated with a's'et of conductors,- whereby actuation of a switch of each set causes currentto'flow through a conductor of each set, said'toroids being of 'n'iat erial and the current being so limited that the toroid on both conductors is magnetized in a definite sense, and the other toroids through which onlylone of said energized conductors passes are substantially unaffected, a selector member movable through a plurality of selecting positions, an individua l conductor passing through each toroid, means for'supplying opposite current to each last nientioned indiyidual conductor asthe 10 member moves through the corresponding position, whereby the magnetiz'ationjof the selecting toroid isreversed, a conductor common to apluralityfof toroids'ai" ranged to generate a voltage when the magnetization 'of a toroid is thus reversed, and means responsive to said voltage for playing the record corresponding to the position of said selector member. 7. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a selector member. movable through a succession ofselecting positions, electromagnetic means'a'rranged to be energized to etfect the playing ofthe record corresponding to the selecting position of the selector member, a matrix of toroids each made of a material having a substantially rectangular hysteresis characteristic and corresponding to a record and a selector member'position, said toroids being magnetizable in a plurality of diiferentsenses, means for magnetizing any number" of said tor'oids'in a definite sense to select the corresponding recordings, means associated with the selector member for creating a reverse magnetizing field for each toroid as the selector member passes through the corresponding selector position, a winding coupled to each toroid and arranged to generateia' voltage when a toroid is reversely magnetized,

and means operatively connecting said winding to the' electromagnetic means whereby the corresponding recording is reproduced. I n I J ,8. Inga selector for automatic phonographs, in combination, a matrix including'a firstset of conductors, a second set of conductors in crossing relation, a plurality of toroidscapable of assuming bistable states of mag nctic 'remanence, said, toroids being magnetizable in a plurality of difie rent's'enses, each mounted on a conductor of each set' where they cross, an individual conductor extending through each toroid and a common conductor extending through all the toroids, means for supplying current, in the sameelectrical direction, to any two conductors, one of each set, whereby the common toroid only is magnetized, a selector member movable through a series of selecting positions each corresponding to a toroid and recording, means controlledt by the selector member for supplying'opposite current to each individual conductor seriatim, whereby a-fvoltage is created in the common conductor as the result of the demagnetization of a selecting toroid, and electromagnetic means controlled by said voltage toinitiate the playing of the corresponding recording. I

9. An automatic phonograph having a magazine and a player'unit, power means for effecting relative movement between said units to bring any record in the magazine and said player unit into cooperative selective 'relation, means for arresting said relative movement and initiating the playing of the record, a plurality of mag-j netizable members each corresponding individually to a record and a definite relative position between said units,

said members being magnetizable in a plurality of difier-.

ent senses, means for, magnetizing said magnetizable members in a definite sense to store individualmagnetic selecting signals, means controlled by the relative movement cooperating individually and seriatim with each magnetizable member to produce, a voltage with. a. magnetizable element magnetized in said definite sense, and means associated with a plurality of magnetizable members and responsive to said voltage for actuating said arresting and initiating means.

l0. A. selector for automatic phonographscomprising in combination with record transfer and playing mecha-. nisms: a selector member movable in either of two directions through a plurality of selecting positions; a series of electrical contacts arranged in pairs, one pair for each record selecting position and one contact for each side of a recording; means for, grounding one contact from each pair such that the one grounded depends upon the direction of travel of said selector member; a series of magnetizable memory elements corresponding to said contacts, ssid elements being adapted to be reproducing a selected. recording, and electromagnetic means associated with said common conductor arranged to be actuated by the voltage generated in said common conductor by the change of flux in the selecting toroid for arresting said selector member in a selecting position and initiating the operation of said reproducing means.

15. A selector for automatic phonographs having a selector member movable through a plurality of selecting positions each corresponding to a recording, a plurality of magnetizable elements each corresponding individually to a recording, said elements being magnetizable in a plurality of different senses, conduczor means associated with each element to magnetize any element in a definite'sense to store a selection, a common conductor coupled to a plurality of elements, an individual conductor coupled to each individual element, means responsive to said movable selector member as said member moves through the corresponding selecting position for Supplying current to each individual conductor seriatim, said current being of such direction and magnitude as to reduce the magnetization of a selecting element which has been magnetized in said definite sense and thus change the sense in which the same is magnetized so as to produce a change of flux in said selecting element, means for reproducing a selected recording, and electromagnetic means associated with said common con ductor arranged to be actuated by the voltage generated in saidvcommon conductor by the change of flux in the selecting element for arresting said selector member in a selecting position and initiating the operation of said reproducing means.

16. A selector for automatic phonographs having a selector member movable through a plura'ity of selecting positions each corresponding to a recording, a plurality of magnetizable elements each corresponding individually to a recording, said elements being magnetizable in a plurality of different senses, conductor means associated with each element to magnetize any element in a definite sense to store a selection, a common conductor coupled to a plurality of elements, an individual conductor coupled to each indIvldual element, means responsive to said movable selector member as said memer moves through the corresponding selecting position for supplying current to each individual conductor seriatim, said current being of such direction and magnitude as to destroy the magnetization of a selecting element which has been magnetized in said definite sense and thus change the sense in which the same is magnetized so as to produce a change of flux in said selecting element, means for reproducing a selected recording, and electromagnetic means associated with said common conductor arranged to be actuated by the voltage generated in said common conductor by the change of fiux in the selecting element for arresting said selector member in a selecting position and initiating the operation of said reproducing means.

17. A selector for automatic phonographs having a selector member movable through a plurality of selecting positions each corresponding to a recording, a plurality of magnetizable elements each corresponding individually to a recording, said elements being magnetizable in a plurality of different senses, conductor means associated with each element to magnetize any element in a definite sense to store a selection, a common conductor coupled to a plurality of elements, an individual conductor coupled to each individual element, means responsive to said movable selector member as said member moves through the corresponding selecting position for supplying current to each individual conductor seriatim, said current being of such direction and magnitude as to demagnetize a selecting element which has been magnetized in said definite sense and remagnetize it in the opposite sense so as to produce a change of flux in said selecting element, means for reproducing a selected recording, andelectromagnetic means associated with said common conductor arranged to be actuated by the voltage generated in said common conductor by the change of flux in the selecting element for'arresting said selector member in a selecting position and initiating the operation of said reproducing means.

18. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a

selector member movable repeatedly in a path through a plurality of selecting positions corresponding respectively to each of the available recordings, means for re producing a selected recording, means to arrest said member in a selecting position -to effect the reproduction of a corresponding recording, a plurality of magnetizable elements each corresponding respectively to an individual recording, said elements being magnetizable in a plurality of dilierent senses, means for magnetizing any of said elements to store magnetic signals thereon, means cooperating with said selector member and a magnetized selecting element when said selector member reaches a selecting position corresponding to such a magnetized element for remagnetizing said magnetized element in a difierent sense so as to produce a change of flux in said magnetized element and a resultant electrical impulse, means responsive to said impulse for actuating said arresting means and thus causing the reproduction of a selected recording, and means operably associated with said magnetizing means for conditioning said selector member for travel through at least its complete path. 19. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a selector member movable repeatedly in a path through a plurality of selecting positions corresponding respectively to each of the available recordings, means for reproducing a selected recording, means to arrest said member in a selecting position to effect the reproduction of a corresponding recording, a plurality of magnetizable elements each corresponding respectively to an individual recording, said elements being magnetizable in a plurality of different senses, switch means for magnetizing any selected ones of said magnetizable elements to store corresponding magnetic selecting signals thereon, means cooperating with said selector member and a magnetized selecting element when said selector member reaches a selecting position corresponding to such a magnetized element for remagnetizing said magnetized element in a difierent sense so as to produce a change of flux in said magnetized element and a resultant electrical impulse, means responsive to said impulse for actuating said arresting means and thus causing the reproduction of a selected recording, a control switch arranged to be closed by said switch means so as to initiate the travel of said selector member, an actuating switch arranged to be closed by the selector member each time it arrives at a certain point in its travel, and stopping means actuated by the actuating switch requiring two actuations to effect the opening of said control switch and thus terminate the travel of said selector member.

20. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a stationary magazine, a player unit movable in one direction and in the opposite direction along the magazine through a plurality of selecting positions corresponding respectively to each of the available recordings and conditioned to play one side of records while moving in one direction and to play the other side of records while moving in the opposite direction, a plurality of magnetizable elements, each corresponding respectively to a recording, said elements being magnetizable in a plurality of different senses, switch means for magnetizing any selected ones of said magnetizable elements to store corresponding magnetic selecting signals thereon, means cooperating with said player unit and a magnetized selecting element when said player unit reaches a selecting position corresponding to such a magnetized element for remagnetizing said magnetized element in a different sense so as to produce a change of flux in said magnetized element and a resultant electrical impulse, means responsive to said impulse for arresting the travel ot said player unit insaid selectingposition and initiating the operation of said 'player unit so as to reproducelth'e selected recording, a 'control switch arranged to be closed by the operationof said switch means so as to initiate the travel of said player unit, an actuable member arranged to be actuated by the player unit each time it arrives at the end of its travel, and stopping means controlled by two actuations of said actuable member to eflect the opening of said control switch and thus ter-' minate the travel of said player unit.

UNITED- STATES PATENTS Andrews Jan. 8, 1952v 1 Dimond Oct. 14, 1952 Vanderzee et al. Jan. 19, 1954 Wright Jan.126, 1954 Jensen l Aug. 30,1955 Rajchman -L. ....Feb. 7, 1956 

